57 Health Terms Everyone Should Know

Wednesday

Mar 6, 2013 at 12:01 AMMar 6, 2013 at 6:23 AM

Confused by doc talk? Brush up on these key health terms so youíll be ready for your next appointment.

If youíve ever been a little confused by the health terms your doctor uses or the instructions on a bottle of medication, youíre not alone. Nearly nine out of every 10 adults in the United States struggles to understand and use health terms and other health information.

When you do see your health care provider, donít be embarrassed if you donít understand their instructions or one of the health terms used. Itís perfectly OK to speak up. In fact, you should make it clear to your doctor or nurse that you need additional information.

ďBe prepared to ask the questions that will matter to you,Ē says Dr. Catrina OíLeary, president and CEO of Health Literacy Missouri, a non-profit based in St. Louis that works to bridge the gap between peopleís skills and the demands of the health care world.

Below is a list of health terms with easy-to-understand definitions that will help you navigate the evolving health care system. (Definitions provided with the help of the University of Michiganís Plain Language Dictionary, CDCís Plain Language Thesaurus, the American Heritage Medical Dictionary and Stedmanís Medical Dictionary.)

Abrasion: a cut, scrape, or scratch Abscess: an infection, wound or sore Acute: rapid onset or sudden start, brief Ambulatory: mobile, able to walk or move around, not confined to bed Analgesic: a pain reliever, such as aspirin, Advil or Tylenol Anemia: low iron level, which can make you feel tired Angina: chest pain Antibiotic: a medicine or drug that fights bacteria Anti-inflammatory: a drug that prevents or reduces swelling and pain Antiviral: medicine that fights viruses Atrophy: a wasting-away of tissues in the body Benign: not cancer Biopsy: process for removing a tissue sample for testing BMI: ďbody mass index,Ē which is a measure of body fat based on height and weight Bowel: the intestine Bradycardia: a slow heartbeat Catheter: a type of tube used in various medical procedures Cholesterol: a type of fat produced in your liver and transported by your blood Chronic: long-term, lasting a long time or not having an ending Colon: part of the large intestine Colonoscopy: a test that looks inside your colon, or intestines, often to check for cancerous growths Compression: the act of putting pressure on, or squeezing Control: to manage or take power over Contusions: bruises CT scan: also referred to as a CAT scan, a type of x-ray test or scan Edema: swelling EHR/EMR: electronic health record or electronic medical record; the high-tech version of your old manila-folder patient file or chart Embolism: a blood clot Endoscope: an optical instrument that looks like a long, thin tube that is inserted into your body for viewing Extremities: your limbs, often in reference to your hands and feet Hemoglobin A1C: a test that looks at your blood sugar levels over the past three months Hypertension: high blood pressure Hypoglycemia: low blood sugar Hypotension: low blood pressure Inflammation: swelling or soreness Influenza: a virus that causes the flu Intravenous: putting medication or fluids directly into your veins, which is directly into your bloodstream Irrigate: to wash (a wound or an opening) Lesion: a cut, sore, wound or injury Lipids: types of fats in your blood Lumbar: the lower back area Malignant: cancer, or cancerous Noninvasive: doesnít require any penetration, like with a needle NSAIDs: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which are used to reduce pain and swelling but which can decrease the bloodís ability to clot Obese: dangerously overweight OTC: over the counter, medications not requiring a prescription Palliative: relieving symptoms like pain without curing Pneumonia: a serious infection of the lungs and respiratory system that can be caused by bacteria, viruses and other causes Polyp: a growth or mass on a mucous membrane (usually not cancerous) Renal: related to the kidneys Subcutaneous: just beneath the skin Susceptible: more likely to catch or be at risk for contracting Sutures: stitches Terminal: deadly or fatal Topical: on the skin or surface of the body Varicella: chicken pox Vertigo: a condition where you feel dizziness or a whirling motion

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